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Galatians 5:16-23 teaches that at any moment we are either walking by the Holy Spirit or according to the sin nature. Walking by the Spirit, enjoying fellowship with God, walking in the light are virtually synonymous. During these times, the Holy Spirit is working in us to illuminate our minds to the truth of Scripture and to challenge us to apply what we learn. But when we sin, we begin to live based on the sin nature. Our works do not count for eternity. The only way to recover is to confess (admit, acknowledge) our sin to God the Father and we are instantly forgiven, cleansed, and recover our spiritual walk (1 John 1:9). Please make sure you are walking by the Spirit before you begin your Bible study, so it will be spiritually profitable.

Discipleship (2018)

Discipleship (2018)

July 2018 - September 2018

What is a disciple? Is being a disciple the same as being a believer, or can a believer not be a disciple? What does Jesus ask of a disciple? Being a disciple is the key to spiritual growth, spiritual maturity, and stability and real joy in life. This series summarizes the keys to discipleship in five easy-to-understand, but profound, questions that will transform your life. Come to understand what Jesus expects our goal in life should be. Learn in the series the challenge Jesus lays down for every believer to be a disciple.

Video DVDs of these lessons can be ordered here or here.

To view all of the Bible Studies in the Discipleship series, click here (Vimeo) or here (YouTube).

To listen to this series as a podcast, copy and paste the following URL into your podcast software.
www.deanbibleministries.org/podcasts/2018discipleship.xml
 
Sun, Jul 22, 2018
Passage: Matthew 4:18-22 & Luke 8:5-15
Duration: 1 hr 2 mins 10 secs
What do you think assures you of living a successful life? Is it the idea of one of our founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin, who said “early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise“? Listen to this message to learn that the Bible teaches an entirely different view of life that emphasizes the necessity for not only believing in Christ as Savior but also becoming a disciple. Hear three important words and the question you need to ask yourself daily to see where you are on the road leading to discipleship. Find out the dangers of becoming comfortable in the Christian life and accept the challenge of pushing on to the next level of spiritual maturity.
Sun, Jul 29, 2018
Passage: John 1:25-51 & John 10:27-31
Duration: 51 mins 57 secs
All believers are called to make disciples of others. Where should you start? Listen to this lesson to see that you need look no further than your family, beginning with your children and grandchildren. Hear four categories who do not obey this command and only one that does. Learn several different meanings of “following Jesus”, one of which refers to faith in Christ. See how the bronze serpent in the wilderness shows that all that is necessary to be saved is faith alone in Christ alone. Daily asking ourselves how committed we are is what can lead us to a higher level of discipleship.
Sun, Aug 05, 2018
Passage: John 6:22-33
Duration: 52 mins 12 secs
When you’re doing well in life with a good marriage, happy family, or successful career, do you take all the credit? Listen to this lesson to learn that everything we have is a gift from God. Hear how Jesus fed more than 5,000 people in a miraculous way and find out what lesson He was teaching His disciples. Learn the significance of bread beginning in the Old Testament. Ask yourself if you’re willing to be trained as a disciple or are you spending too much of your time on what makes you comfortable today?
Sun, Aug 19, 2018
Passage: Luke 9:23-25 & Luke 9:57-62
Duration: 52 mins 3 secs
Is it legalism when we are told we should obey the commands of God found in the Bible? Listen to this lesson to learn that obeying God’s commands should be done willingly as a resposne to God's grace and not to merit God’s blessings. Learn the importance of learning to deny our selfish desires and walk by means of the Spirit. Find out about four categories of believers who give excuses why they can’t become disciples. Challenge yourself to become a committed, consistent disciple for all of your life.
Sun, Aug 26, 2018
Passage: Luke 14:25-33
Duration: 54 mins 40 secs
Do you have to give up much of what you love in life in order to become Christ’s disciple? Liven to this lesson to see that it’s a matter of setting your priorities. Love for Christ must come before family, fortune, and even your own desires. Find out what Jesus meant by “hating” family and self. See that obedience to God’s mandates are a barometer of our love for Him. After you accept Christ as your Savior be prepared to face many decisions that involve the cost of following God.
Sun, Sep 02, 2018
Passage: John 8:31
Duration: 53 mins 42 secs
Where are you on the path of spiritual growth? Listen to this lesson to learn that God’s purpose for believers is to grow to spiritual maturity. Hear John’s description of Jesus as Life and Light and what the result of abiding in the Word will be. Learn the practices we need to develop in our Christian life so we can imitate Jesus and become revealers of the Word of God to others.
Sun, Sep 09, 2018
Passage: John 13:34-35
Duration: 39 mins 29 secs
“Love Makes the World Go Round” The words of this song mirror the emphasis that is put on love, but what does the Bible say about it? Listen to this message to learn that Jesus ups the ante to His disciples by saying that we should love other believers as He loves us. Find out this includes the most obnoxious believer and comes only by walking by means of the Holy Spirit. See that this kind of love is the mark of a true disciple. Examine yourself to find how you love and treat other believers based on the Scriptural standard for love.
Sun, Sep 16, 2018
Passage: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2
Duration: 50 mins 49 secs
When was the last time you said no to something you wanted in order to serve God better? Listen to this lesson to learn that self mastery is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Find out what being a steward means. See the importance Scripture places on us being faithful. Accept that everything we have has been given us by God and as we walk by means of the Holy Spirit, we can live purposefully for the glory of God.
Sun, Sep 23, 2018
Passage: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 & 2 Corinthians 8:1-9
Duration: 56 mins 54 secs
Is your life being transformed by the Word of God? Listen to this lesson to review several questions asking what you are willing to faithfully be and do to become a disciple of Christ. Be challenged by seeing how many days you have left to live so you can redeem the time. See the importance of managing the financial resources God has given you. Find out about three tithes mandated by the Mosaic Law. As a Church Age believer enjoy the privilege of freely giving back gifts to God from what He has first given you.